The Orthodox Scholar in the Academy: Does it Matter? Should it Matter?

The Office of Vocation and Ministry and the Orthodox Theological Society in America are cosponsoring a conference on "The Orthodox Scholar in the Academy: Does
it Matter? Should it Matter?" in Chicago, June 12-13, 2008. Orthodox
faculty from academic institutions across the nation are encouraged to
submit proposals through OTSA, and are welcome to contact Ann
Bezzerides or Tony Vrame for more information. A full description of
the project can be downloaded from this website.

To our knowledge, there has been no sustained reflection on the
presence of Orthodox Christians in higher education in the United
States and on the question of "Orthodox particularity" in this milieu.
There may be a number of reasons, but two come to mind. First, since
most Orthodox have not faced outright discrimination, there is a
general acceptance of Orthodox Christians in the academy - we are
different, but not that different. Second, the Orthodox
churches in America have had a relatively short history of establishing
institutions of undergraduate higher education, being content with
theological education for clerical preparation. Hellenic College,
founded in 1968, is the only undergraduate institution still extant.
There have been other attempts as well: the short-lived Rose Hill
College (Aiken, SC) and a relationship between St. Vladimir's Seminary
and Iona College.

Questions of Interest

The Orthodox Theological Society in America
wishes to explore the potential impact, if any, of the Orthodox
Christian scholar in the academy. Thus far, at least six lines of
questioning frame this investigation. These, we believe, can begin and
sustain a conversation on the vocation of the Orthodox Christian
scholar:

How has the topic of
Orthodox Christian faith and the values of higher education been
discussed in Orthodox Christian institutions of higher learning? How
did this conversation affect the institutional history and outcome, if
at all?

Does being an Orthodox Christian matter in the
academy? Does the faith commitment of an Orthodox Christian scholar
have any bearing in her/his scholarly work? Does it matter to the
institution in which she/he works?

How do "theological
opinions" as well as dogmatic teachings of the Orthodox Church have an
impact on her/his scholarly activity?

Does being an
Orthodox Christian contribute to the "way of knowing" of her/his
scholarly work, especially outside of religion and theology? For
example, Orthodox Christianity is comfortable with mystery and paradox.
The faith is seen as a way of life, not merely a set of intellectual
propositions for affirmation, thereby integrating theory and practice.
It describes itself as being holistic. Have these characteristics
influenced the Orthodox scholar in her/his work?

Are
Orthodox Christian scholars in religion departments "ghettoized" in any
way, i.e., are they hired to teach only ancient, medieval, or Eastern
Church topics? What is or what could be the contribution of Orthodox
theological scholarship to other theological conversations?

How
does the Orthodox Christian scholar relate to students, especially
Orthodox? Does the faith bond and commitment create a unique pattern of
relationship and mentoring?

Summary

WHAT: A conference titled "The Orthodox Scholar in the Academy: Does
it Matter? Should it Matter?"

WHERE & WHEN: Chicago, June 12-13, 2008.

COSPONSORED BY: The Orthodox Theological Society in America and the Office of Vocation & Ministry.

WHO: Orthodox
faculty from academic institutions across the nation are encouraged to
submit proposals through OTSA, and are welcome to contact Ann
Bezzerides, OVM Director, or Tony Vrame, OTSA President, to discuss proposal ideas. Graduate students interested in attending the conference should contact Ann Bezzerides.

KEYNOTE: Andrea Sterk, Ph.D., Associate Professor of History at the University of Flordia will speak on "Faith and
Learning in Higher Education: Historical Reflections for Orthodox Scholars
Today."

Sterk's recent books include Renouncing the World Yet Leading
the Church. The Monk-Bishop in Late Antiquity (Harvard University Press,
2004), and Religion, Scholarship, and Higher Education.
Perspectives, Models, & Future Prospects (Notre Dame, Ind.: University
of Notre Dame Press, 2002). Read more.